Gasoline Prices Could Climb
On Higher Crude-Oil Costs

By

Alexei Barrionuevo Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated March 6, 2002 8:34 a.m. ET

Higher crude-oil prices, resilient gasoline demand and a concerted effort by refiners to throttle back production could push gasoline prices up about 15% in the months ahead, the Department of Energy says.

While disappointing to consumers, who have enjoyed prices near $1 a gallon all winter, refiners would welcome a shift after struggling for months to turn a profit.